An overview of world karst indicates that most karst environmental problems, especially rock desertification, occur mainly in tropical and subtropical karst terrains. Population pressure and some malpractices in land use have intensified the processes of rock desertification. in Guizhou Province, the rate of rock desertification in karst areas was as high as 933 km² per year in the 1980s, although in recent years, many projects to deal with this fragile environment in south China have been implemented. Measures such as harnessing underground streams, ecological rehabilitation, and comprehensive development in the poorest karst regions of south China have been proved to be successful. However, ecological conditions there vary from place to place as a result of geological,climatic, and topographic differences. Consequently, more research and improved management are necessary for better planning and more effective implementation of rehabilitation measures.